Is this the key factor behind Aston Villa's upturn in form under Sherwood?

Few Aston Villa fans could have predicted the impact Tim Sherwood's appointment would have at Villa Park. Having arrived at the Midlands club in mid-Feburary, less than two months later, and the club's supporters can look forward to an FA Cup final and the prospect of a 23rd consecutive Premier League season; providing their remaining fixtures go to plan.

Perhaps the biggest factor behind the club's improved fortunes is the rate at which they are now finding the back of the net. Sherwood's arrival has coincided with a dramatic upturn in fortunes at Villa Park, as statistics help to highlight.

After just 10 games under the Englishman's control, the club have scored more goals (14) than in their previous 25 combined (12), while the they are now averaging a goal every eight shots, compared to every 20 under Paul Lambert.

Aston Villa under Paul Lambert 2014/15

Goals

Total Shots per Game

Shots per Goal

Accurate Shots Faced per Game

Goals Conceded per Game

Matches

Aston Villa

13

10.04

20.08

4.5

1.38

26

Aston Villa under Tim Sherwood 2014/15

Goals

Total Shots per Game

Shots per Goal

Accurate Shots Faced per Game

Goals Conceded per Game

Matches

Aston Villa

14

12.11

7.79

4.33

1.56

9

The English head coach has had an incredible impact on the form of Christian Benteke - just like many predicted he would - and it comes as little surprise that that Belgian hit-man has scored eight times since March.

He recently bagged a hat-trick in a dramatic 3-3 draw against fellow-strugglers QPR, before bagging the winner at Tottenham and hitting the target again in the FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool at Wembley. Providing Villa retain their top-flight status, the next big test for Sherwood will be keeping his in-form talisman from the clutches of the division's leading sides.

Defensively, the club are suffering a similar fate. Having faced 4.3 shots on average under their current boss (compared to 4.5 under Lambert) there is little to split the two managers in this respect. However, a rate of 1.6 goals conceded per fixture puts Sherwood in the red. It is highly likely that this is a key area the ex-Spurs man will strive to improve come the summer window.

Chris Linnell

Chris is a freelance football writer from Wiltshire, England. He is currently studying Modern History and Politics at the University of Liverpool. He has written for various other sites, including the Boot Room and Bleacher Report. His work has also featured on Eurosport.